# getWhite(_:alpha:) Returns the grayscale and alpha values of the color. ``` func getWhite(_ white: UnsafeMutablePointer?, alpha: UnsafeMutablePointer?) ``` ## Parameters `white` Upon return, contains the grayscale value of the color object. `alpha` Upon return, contains the opacity value of the color object. ## Discussion If `NULL` is passed in as an argument, the method doesn’t set that value. This method works only with objects representing colors in the [`calibratedWhite`](/documentation/AppKit/NSColorSpaceName/calibratedWhite), [`NSCalibratedBlackColorSpace`](/documentation/AppKit/NSCalibratedBlackColorSpace), [`NSDeviceBlackColorSpace`](/documentation/AppKit/NSDeviceBlackColorSpace), or [`deviceWhite`](/documentation/AppKit/NSColorSpaceName/deviceWhite) color space. Sending it to other objects raises an exception. ## See Also [`NSColor`](/documentation/AppKit/NSColor) An object that stores color data and sometimes opacity (alpha value). --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)